The Odin Project is a comprehensive, open-source curriculum designed to teach aspiring web developers the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the industry. It covers everything from HTML and CSS to JavaScript and Ruby on Rails, and it’s completely free to use.
The Odin Project takes between two weeks and ten months to complete the Foundation portion of the curriculum. Others have finished the entirety of The Odin Project in under seven months while others have taken several years. However, the time it takes will vary depending on your prior experience, how many hours a day you can commit to learning, and how quickly you can learn new concepts.
Let’s take a closer look at the Odin Project and dive into how long you can expect the entire course to take. Plus we’ll look at tips for speeding your learning process.
Overview of the Odin Project
The Odin Project is a free, open-source curriculum for learning web development, similar to freeCodeCamp. It is designed to be a self-paced, self-directed program that delivers a comprehensive education to prepare students for a career in software engineering. The curriculum covers everything from HTML and CSS to Ruby on Rails and JavaScript, and it is designed to take students from beginner to job-ready developers.
The Odin Project is unique in that it is entirely free and open-source which means that anyone can access the curriculum. It is designed to be flexible, allowing students to work at their own pace and on their own schedule. This makes it an ideal option for people who are looking to learn web development while working full-time or who have other commitments.
The curriculum is split into several sections with each one covering a specific area of web dev. They are designed to be completed in order and each section builds on the skills you learn in the previous section. It is designed to be hands-on and students build real-world applications throughout the program.
The Odin Project is not a coding bootcamp or a certified program. Instead, it is designed to comprehensively cover all areas of web development and provide students with the skills they need to become job-ready. Complete The Odit Project does not guarantee you will get a job but but it is a valuable asset for anyone looking to break into the field.
How long should it take to finish The Odin Project?
If someone dedicates eight hours a day to the course, it should take them less than six months to finish The Odit Project. However, everyone learns at different speeds and has different amounts of time available so the specific time frame will depend on your situation.
The FAQ section of the site states that amount the of time it takes to complete the course depends on the student’s pace and dedication. They estimate it takes an average of six months to finish the Foundations course, which is the first course in the curriculum. It also mentions that it is possible to complete the entire curriculum in less than a year for talented students.
However, just completing the curriculum is not the end goal. Students should aim to gain the knowledge necessary to land a job. While doing the course they build projects which can then be used as part of a portfolio.
Using courses like Odin Project to learn fundamentals and concepts is a great starting point to then build your own projects.
How many hours a week should you spend on The Odin Project?
The Odin Project is designed to be flexible so that students can complete it at their own pace. The curriculum is divided into different sections, each with its own set of projects and exercises. The amount of time it takes to complete the Odin Project depends on the individual student’s pace and the amount of time they can commit to studying.
Previous students have stated, they took 10 months to finish the Foundation section, studying for only 1-2 hours 3 or 4 days a week. Others estimated that it could take less than 6 months to finish the curriculum if the student studies for 8 hours a day.
By design The Odin Project is designed to be flexible and self-paced, meaning that students can study as many hours as they want per week. Some students may have more time to dedicate to studying and can complete the curriculum more quickly, while others may have to study at a slower pace due to other commitments.
Factors that Affect the Completion Time of The Odin Project
Prior Knowledge and Experience
The amount of time it takes you to complete The Odin Project will rely on your existing of coding. If you have some experience with programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you will complete the course faster than someone who is completely new to web development.
However, The Odin Project is designed for absolute beginners and assumes no prior knowledge of software development. The course is structured in a way that allows learners to progress at their own pace, so experience is not necessary.
Time Commitment
The amount of time you can commit to The Odin Project will massively impact how long it takes to complete everything. You will able to complete the Foundation course in a few of weeks if you decidate a lot of time everda. However you may need to spread out your learning over several months which is going to extend the time it tajes.
It’s important to find a balance that works for you. Consistency is key when it comes to learning web development, so it’s better to commit to a smaller amount of time each day or week than to try to cram all of the coursework into a short period of time.
Learning Style
Everyone learns in different ways, and The Odin Project recognizes that. The course is designed to accommodate different learning styles, so it has you covered regardless of whether you prefer reading, watching videos, or doing hands on challenges
The variety of resources helps learners engage with the material in a way that works best for them. It’s important to take advantage of these resources and experiment with different learning styles to find what works best for you.
Average Completion Time
The answer to how long the The Odin Project take to complete is, it depends. Your previous experience, the time you have to learn, and how fast you pick up the material will all impact how long it takes.
However, the average completion time for the Foundations course is around two to four months. Some students have completed it in as little as two weeks, while others have taken up to ten months. The Full Stack JavaScript course can take six to eight months to complete.
There is no deadline for the course so tudents can take as much time as they need to complete it, getting it done quickly is not the aim. It is designed to be flexible and allow students to fit it into their schedule.
Tips for Efficiently Completing the Odin Project
Completing The Odin Project can take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years, depending on your schedule and how much time you can dedicate to it. Here are some tips to help you complete the program efficiently:
- Set a schedule and stick to it: Create a schedule that works for you and keep to it. Set aside a certain amount of time each day and plot this time over a week, and make sure you follow through.
- Break it down into manageable tasks: The Odin Project can seem daunting at first, but breaking it down into smaller tasks and goals makes it more manageable. Each section is split down so you can also create a to-do list and aim for a certain amount each day.
- Use the available resources: You are provided with a wealth of resources, including forums, chat rooms, and mentors. Take advantage of these to build your network and reach out if you need help.
- Stay focused: It’s easy to get distracted while learning a new skill, but staying focused is key to completing it. Find a quiet place to work and eliminate any distractions.
- Don’t rush: While it’s important to create a routine and stick to a schedule rushing through The Odin Project is a mistake. You need to spend time learning the concepts and otherwise, you’ll lack proper understanding. Take your time and make sure you understand each step before moving on.
By following these tips, you can complete The Odin Project efficiently and gain the skills you need to become a full-time web developer.
Nathan Britten, the founder and editor of Developer Pitstop, is a self-taught software engineer with nearly five years of experience in front-end technologies. Nathan created the site to provide simple, straightforward knowledge to those interested in technology, helping them navigate the industry and better understand their day-to-day roles.